Mounting Apparatus for Wireless Communication Equipment
A wireless communication node of a wireless communication system may include a wireless communication module that is configured to communicate with a satellite (e.g., a low earth orbit satellite) and a mounting unit for mounting the wireless communication module at a ground-based installation site, where the mounting unit is configured to mechanically rotate the wireless communication module in response to receiving a command signal. Further, in at least some implementations, the wireless communication module may have electronic beamsteering capability.
1 . A mounting apparatus for a wireless communication node comprising:
a first weighting-element enclosure that is adapted to house a first weighting element, wherein the first weighting-element enclosure has a first set of connectors that extend from the first weighting-element enclosure;
a second weighting-element enclosure that is adapted to house a second weighting element, wherein the second weighting-element enclosure has a second set of connectors that extend from the second weighting-element enclosure, and wherein the first weighting-element enclosure is connected to the second weighting-element enclosure via two joints that are disposed between the first set of connectors and the second set of connectors;
a post that is affixed to either the first weighting-element enclosure or the second weighting-element enclosure;
one or more communication-equipment enclosures that are each attached to the post and are each adapted to house respective equipment for the wireless communication node; and
at least a first support strut that is connected between the post and a first one of the two joints disposed between the first weighting-element enclosure and the second weighting-element enclosure.
2 . The mounting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more communication-equipment enclosures is adapted to house one or both of: (i) a radio module or (ii) a network processing unit (NPU).
3 . The mounting apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the radio module is either a point-to-point radio module or a point-to-multipoint radio module.
4 . The mounting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more communication-equipment enclosures comprise:
one or more radio enclosures that are each adapted to house a respective radio module; and
an additional communication-equipment enclosure that is adapted to house a network processing unit (NPU), wherein each respective radio module is electrically connected to the NPU.
5 . The mounting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each radio enclosure is attached to the post via at least one respective fastener.
6 . The mounting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second weighting elements comprises a cinder block.
7 . The mounting apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the post is affixed to either the first weighting-element enclosure or the second weighting-element enclosure via a given connector of either the first set of connectors or the second set of connectors.
8 . The mounting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second support strut that is connected between the post and a second one of the two joints disposed between the first weighting-element enclosure and the second weighting-element enclosure.
9 . The mounting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third weighting-element enclosure that is adapted to house a third weighting element, wherein the third weighting-element enclosure has a third set of connectors that extend from the third weighting-element enclosure, and wherein the first set of connectors and the third set of connectors are connected such that the third weighting-element enclosure is arranged colinearly with the first and second weighting element enclosures.
10 . The mounting apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising:
a fourth weighting-element enclosure that is adapted to house a fourth weighting element, wherein the fourth weighting-element enclosure has a fourth set of connectors that extend from the fourth weighting-element enclosure, and wherein the first set of connectors and the fourth set of connectors are connected such that the fourth weighting-element enclosure is arranged laterally with respect to the first, second, and third weighting-element enclosures.
11 . The mounting apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third weighting-element enclosure that is adapted to house a third weighting element, wherein the third weighting-element enclosure has a third set of connectors that extend from the third weighting-element enclosure, and wherein the first set of connectors and the third set of connectors are connected such that the third weighting-element enclosure is arranged laterally with respect to the first and second weighting-element enclosures.
12 . A mounting apparatus for a wireless communication node comprising:
a base enclosure that is adapted to house a network processing unit (NPU);
a post that is affixed to the base enclosure; and
one or more radio enclosures that are each attached to the post and are each adapted to house a respective radio module, wherein each respective radio enclosure of the one or more radio enclosures is attached to the post via a respective bracket arrangement comprising a motor that is configured to rotate the respective radio enclosure in response to receiving a command signal.
13 . The mounting apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the respective radio module is either a point-to-point radio module or a point-to-multipoint radio module.
14 . The mounting apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the motor of each respective bracket arrangement comprises a stepper motor.
15 . The mounting apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the motor of each respective bracket arrangement is electrically connected to an NPU connector in the base enclosure.
16 . The mounting apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the post includes an interior cavity that is adapted to route cables between the base enclosure and the one or more radio enclosures.
17 . The mounting apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the command signal comprises a command signal issued by the NPU housed in the base enclosure that instructs the motor to rotate the respective radio enclosure.
18 . The mounting apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the command signal specifies one or both of (i) a direction of rotation or (ii) an amount of rotation.
19 . The mounting apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a cover that encloses the post and the one or more radio enclosures and rests atop the base.